Allen stages magnificent comeback to dominate F4 SEA Race 2 11.05.2019: Irish driver Lucca Allen, who missed a podium finish in yesterday’s opening race after being handed a penalty, staged a magnificent comeback to dominate Race 2 of the FIA Formula 4 SEA Championship – fuelled by Petron – at the Buriram International Circui

Irish driver Lucca Allen, who missed a podium finish in yesterday’s opening race after being handed a penalty, staged a magnificent comeback to dominate Race 2 of the FIA Formula 4 SEA Championship – fuelled by Petron – at the Buriram International Circuit.
 


Today marks Allen’s third win of the season after two victories in the previous round.
 


Starting in ninth spot on the starting grid today, Allen turned in a remarkable performance, storming past seven drivers to move into second on the first lap, just behind Malaysia’s Alister Yoong. Allen was hot on Alister’s heels and quickly found his way past to wrest the lead.
 


Allen began to pull away and rapidly opened up a comfortable gap, which at the end was over four-seconds. He finished off the race in 21 minutes 01.903 seconds.
 


“I’m happy with the win after starting from 9th today. I knew it was going to be a tough race but I had a good start at the 1st and 2nd corners to make a nice move into 2ndposition. After taking over the lead, I just tried to stay smooth, secure good times and breakaway,” Allen said.
 


There was a mighty battle taking place behind Allen between Aussie Josh Smith and Alister. There was no shortage of action as Smith battled his way through from eight spot at the start of the race. But he was soon up in third where he was caught in a close fight with Alister. He waited for his chance and had two wheels on the grass as he charged past Alister on the sixth lap.
 


With time running out and with little possibility of catching up with Allen, Smith eased off and finished 4.078 seconds behind.  “Unfortunately, (yesterday) after finishing 3rd, I had 30-second penalty for exceeding track limits.”
 


“Alister is a great friend but there are no friends on the track. He was defending his position which you are entitled to and was hard for me to get past. He is good racer and I’m lucky to get pass without damage,” said Smith. 
 


Rookie driver Seppanen rounded off the podium in third with a time of 21:08.845 secs. His performances thus far is an indication of his ability and will likely give the leading contenders a tough time in the remaining two races today and tomorrow.
 


First-time F4 SEA driver, Yash Aradhya from India had a good run today to finish fourth in 21:27.661 seconds while local ace, Folky Wongsechareon, was tenth overall. Yash and Folky are fresh faces and competing in the F4 SEA Championship for the first time this season.
 


Meanwhile, in Race 1 yesterday, Shihab Al Habsi from Oman was crowned the winner after three drivers ahead of him were handed down 30-second penalties. Malaysia’s Muizz Musyaffa was second with Dane Malthe Jakobsen in third position.
 


Shihab, whose best performance so far this season was a third placing in the previous round in Sepang, maintained his composure despite intense pressure from his rivals to finally claim his first title of the season.
 


This year’s FIA F4 SEA Championship is a world record-breaking season featuring 40 races, starting from Round 1 in Sepang and finishing off in Clark, Philippines in November.
 




RACE 2 RESULTS


1    Lucca Allen (IRL)    21:01.903
2    Josh Smith (AUS)    21:05.581
3    Elias Seppanen (FIN) (R)    21:08.845
4    Yash Aradhya (IND)    21:27.661
5    Shihab Al Habsi (OMA)    21:33.107
6    Alister Yoong (MAS)                             21:39.945
7    Muizz Musyaffa (MAS)    21:40.303
8    Sneha Sharma (IND)    23:06.492
9    Folky Wongsechareon (THA)    21:41.545
     Malthe Jakobsen (DNK)    DNF
 


 
RACE 1 RESULTS (Yesterday)


1    Shihab Al Habsi (OMA)    21:37.371
2    Muizz Musyaffa (MAS)    21:38.375
3    Malthe Jakobsen (DNK)    21:44.861
4    Elias Seppanen (FIN) (R)    22:05.025
5    Lucca Allen (IRL)    22:06.302
6    Josh Smith (AUS)    22:06.748
7    Alister Yoong (MAS)                             22:07.958
8    Folky Wongsechareon (THA)    22:08.545
9    Yash Aradhya (IND)    22:46.678
10    Sneha Sharma (IND)    22:50.964
 
 


 
2019 RACE CALENDAR


1    Apr 5-7    Malaysia    Sepang    1 to 4
2    Apr 19-21    Malaysia    Sepang    5 to 8
3    May 10-12    Thailand    Buriram    9 to 12
4    June 7-9    Thailand    Buriram    13 to 16
5    July 12-14    India    Madras    17 to 20
6    July 19-21    India    Madras    21 to 24
7    Aug 23-25    Malaysia    Sepang    25 to 28
8    Sept 27-29    Malaysia    Sepang    29 to 32
9    Nov 15-17    Philippines    Clark    33 to 36
10    Nov 22-24    Philippines    Clark    37 to 40

 
 
Abdul Rahman, photos Thompson Aaron